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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly is captivating historical fiction, which takes place in a country well-known for its beautiful gardens. The plot unwinds over three different time periods. In 1907, Venetia is hired by the owners of Highbury House, to design a series of gardens on the estate. It was unusual for a woman to work in this profession in those days. In 1944, Beth leaves the city to become a land girl, helping farmers produce food during WWII. While there, she befriends a cook at Highbury House, which by then is owned by Diana Symonds, a young widow. In 2021, Emma is hired to breathe new life into the neglected gardens of Highbury House. While researching the history of the gardens, Emma will discover old plans from 1907 and photos and documents from 1944. Secrets will slowly begin to unravel and a century of events will lead her to understand the history of the old gardens and find kinship with the lives of the women who were associated with the estate gardens. The Last Garden in England is a flower that slowly opens to reveal its beauty. This is a book that can be re-read with pleasure. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Net Galley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I replay enjoyed this and wanted to escape to the garden!
Quick thoughts:
The Last Garden in England has three timelines: the present day, the early 1900s, and the 1940s, and I loved them all, and these strong female characters. Set in Scotland at a historic garden at Highbury House over these three timelines, first it must be designed, and later on, it must be restored. It also served as a hospital.
There’s also a romance at the heart of the story. The setting is as gorgeous as you’d imagine with this cover. A story of friendship, loss, secrets, and heartbreak, The Last Garden in England was a charming and captivating read.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.Jennifer tarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The Last Garden in England has three timelines: the present day, the early 1900s, and the 1940s, and I loved them all, and these strong female characters. Set in Scotland at a historic garden at Highbury House over these three timelines, first it must be designed, and later on, it must be restored. It also served as a hospital.
There’s also a romance at the heart of the story. The setting is as gorgeous as you’d imagine with this cover. A story of friendship, loss, secrets, and heartbreak, The Last Garden in England was a charming and captivating read.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.Jennifer tarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Three timelines, three amazing women, and three wonderful stories all told around Highbury Estate Gardens. 1907 is the original designer of the Highbury Gardens. Venetia Smith takes the job and starts the story of the gardens. The experience she has while designing changes her life forever. 1944 takes us to Highbury during WWII. The house has been turned into a war hospital. 2021 is the time when the gardens have been neglected for years and the owners of Highbury Estate would like them to be brought back to their original glory.
I am not sure if I can pick my favorite era. Each era has its own charm and its own story to share. The book would not have been nearly as amazing as it is without all 3 eras. They each told a story that was important to Highbury Estates story. I love the current time and the recreating of the gardens. It was amazing to learn of the history, to picture the gardens as they were and how they were found today. I loved how respectful Emma was of the gardens and her will to bring them back to how they were meant to be. 1907 was intriguing. A single woman, Venetia, comes to the estate to plant the original gardens. It was not just planting flowers; she was making rooms of special meaning to the estate owners. The people of the house and the surrounding area all added to her story and made her story so much more than just the garden. 1944 is my era. While I hate the idea of war, I love learning more about the time. This was a unique look at the world left behind. The widows left to run a household, the men injured and wishing to return to battles, and the help that takes on tasks that are not usual for them.
The Last Garden of England is a book that I was looking forward to. Julia Kelly used amazing detail in describing the gardens, the people, and the estate. I could picture the different rooms of the garden, hear the characters living their lives, and feel the love of the Highbury Gardens.
I am not sure if I can pick my favorite era. Each era has its own charm and its own story to share. The book would not have been nearly as amazing as it is without all 3 eras. They each told a story that was important to Highbury Estates story. I love the current time and the recreating of the gardens. It was amazing to learn of the history, to picture the gardens as they were and how they were found today. I loved how respectful Emma was of the gardens and her will to bring them back to how they were meant to be. 1907 was intriguing. A single woman, Venetia, comes to the estate to plant the original gardens. It was not just planting flowers; she was making rooms of special meaning to the estate owners. The people of the house and the surrounding area all added to her story and made her story so much more than just the garden. 1944 is my era. While I hate the idea of war, I love learning more about the time. This was a unique look at the world left behind. The widows left to run a household, the men injured and wishing to return to battles, and the help that takes on tasks that are not usual for them.
The Last Garden of England is a book that I was looking forward to. Julia Kelly used amazing detail in describing the gardens, the people, and the estate. I could picture the different rooms of the garden, hear the characters living their lives, and feel the love of the Highbury Gardens.
Having three timelines to follow kept it interesting, but the best part of the book was reading the names of the plants and picturing them.
I was totally and delightfully transported to the country estate created by author Julia Kelly in The Last Garden in England. Many of the historical fiction books I’ve read and enjoyed take place in dual timelines. This book immerses us in three periods of time where we meet five fascinating women all connected by the massive garden of Highbury House.
In present day, Emma Lovett is hired to restore the once magnificent garden of the large home, which is undergoing a major renovation. Emma’s research takes her back to 1907 when her idol, designer Venetia Smith, created Highbury House’s themed garden rooms including the Winter Garden, which was now locked with no key to access it. The third timeline brings us to 1944 and wartime. Highbury House has been partially converted into a convalescent hospital for soldiers. Diana Symonds, the lady of the house, is newly widowed. Her story, as well as that of her cook Stella Adderton and Beth Pedley, a young woman helping in the war effort as a “land girl,” all intertwine as their stories unfold revealing many secrets including the mystery of the Winter Garden.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Garden in England. It has everything I look for in this genre – an engaging story, characters to care about and a connection to the past. The rich description of the garden enhances the story making this a very appealing and entertaining book. Some of the character developments were a bit predictable but that didn’t bother me. Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end to learn about the people, historical facts and existing gardens that inspired author Julia Kelly. Her website includes a rendering of the Highbury House garden as she imagined it, which was great to see while reading the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author for the opportunity to read The Last Garden in England in advance of its January 12, 2021 publication date.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In present day, Emma Lovett is hired to restore the once magnificent garden of the large home, which is undergoing a major renovation. Emma’s research takes her back to 1907 when her idol, designer Venetia Smith, created Highbury House’s themed garden rooms including the Winter Garden, which was now locked with no key to access it. The third timeline brings us to 1944 and wartime. Highbury House has been partially converted into a convalescent hospital for soldiers. Diana Symonds, the lady of the house, is newly widowed. Her story, as well as that of her cook Stella Adderton and Beth Pedley, a young woman helping in the war effort as a “land girl,” all intertwine as their stories unfold revealing many secrets including the mystery of the Winter Garden.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Garden in England. It has everything I look for in this genre – an engaging story, characters to care about and a connection to the past. The rich description of the garden enhances the story making this a very appealing and entertaining book. Some of the character developments were a bit predictable but that didn’t bother me. Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end to learn about the people, historical facts and existing gardens that inspired author Julia Kelly. Her website includes a rendering of the Highbury House garden as she imagined it, which was great to see while reading the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author for the opportunity to read The Last Garden in England in advance of its January 12, 2021 publication date.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
I would actually give this book 4.5 stars if I could. This is the third book by Julia Kelly I have read and have enjoyed them all. They are fast reads with great plots with historical settings about strong women characters and the challenges they face. I would have liked to have had more descriptions of the garden and Highbury House but that is personal preference. Thank you Julia Kelly for yet another enjoyable read!
A nice quick read of a novel. I enjoyed the three timelines though I feel like Beth's story wasn't really necessary and we could've just had Stella and Diana. I liked the way everything tied together but didn't feel too contrived. I'll probably give this author another go
A story of five women, from three different time periods, whose lives are touched by one garden. In the early 1900s, Venetia Smith is asked to design a garden for a wealthy family at their country estate. In the 2020s Emma is asked to restore the garden to revive Venetia’s vision. In between these two women are the lives of three other women from World War 2. Diana owns the estate, Stella is the cook, and Beth has come to the area as a land girl.
Though the stories all touch on the garden, the focus is the women and their relationships, losses, struggles and emotional growth.
Though the stories all touch on the garden, the focus is the women and their relationships, losses, struggles and emotional growth.
This was a nice little book, but not quite up to my expectations. The writing was good but not wonderful; some of the dialogue and interactions seemed forced and/or cliché. I got a little lost with all of the different characters interspersed between the multiple points of views, and I had to constantly flip back to previous chapters to remember what was going on in each era. I didn’t really connect to any of the characters, either, though most of them are likable. I did think the ending really wrapped up the story in a satisfying way, though.
Overall, a pleasant read but not super remarkable. 3.2 stars.
Overall, a pleasant read but not super remarkable. 3.2 stars.